Transcript Highlights:

• And we're starting in our community. We were starting here in our roots.
• </c><00:38:50.960><c> in</c> here in Guam and what we started in here in Guam and what we started in
• And we're starting world a better place.
• We were starting here in our community.
• We were starting here in<00:39:05.839><c> our</c><00:39:06.000><c> roots.

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard a series of Senate resolutions focused largely on climate, sustainability, public health, and energy policy. Measures discussed included integrating Native Hawaiian and indigenous knowledge into climate policy (STR 93), creating a temporary working group to investigate the dangers of POS (STR 103), studying the feasibility of a green bonds program (STR 110), declaring a public health emergency related to climate change (STR 111), affirming the importance of marine ecosystems to decarbonization goals (STR 115), encouraging adoption of recommendations from the UN global plastics treaty and Rapanui summit declaration (STR 132), convening a geothermal energy working group (STR 136), affirming support for the Aloha Plus Challenge (STR 183), and encouraging insurers to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce costs for residents (STR 198). Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive on most measures, with support coming from agencies such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii State Energy Office, DLNR, PUC, Board of Water Supply, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Green Growth, and numerous advocacy groups and individuals. STR 111 drew both support and opposition, with supporters arguing climate change is a public health emergency and opponents disputing the underlying science and urgency. STR 136 also drew mixed testimony, including support from state agencies and one opposition submission from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Several witnesses emphasized indigenous knowledge, climate justice, public health impacts, and the need for coordinated state action. Supporters of STR 93 said Native Hawaiian and indigenous knowledge has sustained communities for generations and should be woven into Hawaii’s future climate decision-making. Supporters of STR 111 described climate change as a threat multiplier affecting heat illness, mental health, displacement, wildfire impacts, and food insecurity, while opponents argued the resolution overstated the issue. Testimony on STR 183 highlighted the Aloha Plus Challenge as a statewide sustainability framework with regional influence across the Pacific, including Guam, and stressed its role in tracking progress toward 2030 goals. On STR 198, supporters argued that polluters should help pay for climate-related costs borne by residents and insurers. After testimony concluded, the committee moved into decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass STR 93, SD1 unamended by roll call vote, with the chair, vice chair, Rep. Kahaloa, and Rep. Kush voting aye and Rep. Quinnland excused. The transcript then begins the committee’s action on STR 103, SD1, with the chair again recommending passage as is, but the remainder of the vote is cut off in the provided record.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> proposed</c><00:14:25.040><c> amendments</c> starts with HB0130 proposed amendments starts with
• Because lots of cases start one way and the only charge is a firearm charge.
• It didn't start that way, Mr. Chairman. Guess I'm having difficulty wrapping my brain around this.
• </c><01:16:45.600><c> out</c> how can we expect an officer fresh out how can we expect an officer fresh
• We're going to get started on this. We're not going to hold it over till Friday. I'm sorry. Okay.

Bills: HB0130 , HB0147

Committee: Senate Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• are starting to understand more.
• And we started with kindergarten and first grade teachers first.
• What is the what started the plugging process? Mr.
• So at 0, so at 2, at 2, you start looking at it.
• So, starting on slide 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what our issue is here is that we're starting to take means of production and include them for ad
• But this is something that's just starting to crop up in a few counties.
• I think it first and foremost, it starts with the parents that those districts serve.
• But I think it starts just at the local level with parents engaging their school board.
• We are going to start closing the roll a little bit faster as we move forward this morning. Mr.

Bills: SB1627 , SB227 , SB366 , SB1193 , SB1433 , SB1450 , SB1481 , SB1749 , SB1810 , SB1812 , SB1921 , SB1948 , SB2044 , SB2178 , SB169 , SB1877 , HB1409 , SB1266 , SB1432

Keywords: criminal code cleanup, duplicate statutes, statutory consolidation, repealer bill, emergency clause, Title 21 crimes, Title 47 DUI, child abuse reporting, child neglect, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, sex offenses, rape, stalking, domestic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, sex trafficking, gang-related offense, eluding police

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> everyone we're providing access to fresh everyone we're providing access to fresh healthy<00:38:
• </c> not have access to Capital to start not have access to Capital to start developing<00:53:13.640>
• </c> amounts um we were able to start amounts um we were able to start adjusting<01:26:38.320><c> our
• </c> adjusting our pay for our staff start adjusting our pay for our staff start adjusting<01:26:40.880
• </c> Pathways and retention I'd like to start Pathways and retention I'd like to start by<01:47:21.080

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a helpful starting place.
• Let's start refilling reserves.
• But we're going to start back. To item two.
• I'll start with the trailer bill.
• But I'll start with— But I'll start with Assembly Member Peach Norse, if you have questions, and then

Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• We started our farm in about 2016. Since then, we started our farm in about 2016.
• At that time, we started with just one cow to provide the best food we could for our family.
• And as word got out that we had good raw milk, people started coming to us asking for milk to buy.
• food pop-up markets are, where we know where the fresh food pop-up markets are, And distributing it
• That goes away with fresh food pop-up markets.

Committee: All AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony on the economic and regulatory effects of Arkansas’s raw milk law, Act 698. Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm said the law helped his family farm expand from 8 to 12 cows and from serving about 75 families to about 150, increasing sales by roughly $50,000 and allowing about $10,000 in raw cheese sales through retail outlets. He argued the law supports small-farm income, food security, and local processing, but said state health agencies still do not inspect raw milk producers unless they sell to a commercial buyer, which he said limits access to USDA grants and other opportunities. He and members discussed safety practices, including rapid chilling, sick-animal removal, sanitation, customer education, and whether any optional state certification or inspection program should be created without adding burdensome regulation. Members asked about herd management, bee production, market channels, and whether raw milk producers should receive training or certification. Ballard said his farm uses Jerseys, removes sick cows from production, sells on-farm and through retail locations, and relies on best-practice guidance from groups such as the Weston A. Price Foundation and the Raw Milk Institute. Several members expressed support for consumer choice but also raised concerns about food safety, especially for children and pregnant women, and about possible “mission creep” if the state creates a voluntary inspection or training system. The discussion ended without any vote or formal action on the raw milk issue. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terrence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container-based farming as a response to food insecurity, food deserts, and workforce needs. Bolden described a three-year career and technical education model using retrofitted shipping containers to grow food year-round with low water and energy use, paired with training in drones, robotics, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship. He said pilot projects are underway or planned with UAPB, the Little Rock School District, and other partners, and projected that five regional hubs could create significant economic impact and multiple jobs per container. Members asked about costs, target communities, school partnerships, food desert locations, and whether the model could include aquaponics or protein production; Bolden said the program is intended as a public-private partnership and that the committee could tour a container site once it is operational. The meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I started as an intern in 2022.
• I'm going to start with the basics of what this bill does.
• I also started having severe headaches.
• She's an academic. So that is not an issue that comes up for her.
• She's an academic. So that is not an issue that comes up for her.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills on taxes, public health, veterans’ benefits, public notices, HOA rules, and school policy. SB 1045, which would bar local governments from taxing or feeing blockchain use in residences, passed 4-3 after brief discussion; supporters framed it as a tax-preemption measure, while opponents argued it would reduce local revenue. SB 1019, which would prohibit adding fluoride to public water systems, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor argued fluoride should be topical rather than systemic and cited emerging research on possible health risks, while dental and public health advocates strongly opposed the bill, citing decades of evidence that fluoridation reduces tooth decay and saves money. The committee voted 4-3 to advance the bill, with members on both sides explaining their votes at length. The committee also advanced SB 1050, granting free lifetime state park passes to Arizona veterans, after Arizona State Parks said it was neutral but warned of possible revenue losses; the bill passed 4-3. SB 1078, clarifying that court review of public-records denials is de novo, passed unanimously 7-0 with support from the Goldwater Institute and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• To elaborate on the AR workflow, we'll start with invoicing.
• We’ll get started back here.
• I only started in April of last year.
• Start again.
• So breakfast starts Monday morning.

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we start with the mayor &gt;&gt; All right.
• I think it's a breath of fresh air.
• I as I've it's a breath of fresh air.
• So, let me start with the problem.
• </c> So, let me start with the problem. So, let me start with the problem.

Bills: HF4710 , HF4055 , HF3848 , HF3989 , HF4599 , HF3767 , HF3592 , HF3575 , HF3574 , HF3543 , HF4606 , HF4489 , HF3891 , HF3438 , HF3811 , HF3400

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to start as members.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, once again, and Members, when I start this, I want to start by accepting the
• I'm going to start with AB 1979. Thank you. I'm going to start with AB 1979.
• And so, you know, making sure we start...
• And so, you know, making sure we start.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to start as members.
• Madam Chair, once again, and members, when I start this, I want to start by accepting the committee amendments
• I'm going to start with AB 1979. Thank you. I'm going to start with AB 1979.
• It's going to start going into effect January 1.
• And so, you know, making sure we start.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on privacy, accessibility, labor, and public safety. AB 1798 by Assemblymember Wilson would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer test results, in underwriting. Supporters argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage genetic testing, while insurers opposed it as unnecessary and said genetic data should be treated like other predictive health information. The bill passed the committee on a 7-0 vote and was held open for absent members. AB 2190 by Assemblymember Wallace would create website accessibility standards based on WCAG guidelines and add affirmative defenses intended to reduce serial litigation while improving access for people with disabilities. Disability advocates supported the measure as a needed civil-rights update, while business groups warned it could increase liability and create unclear compliance obligations. The bill passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2721 by Assemblymember Carrillo would require hotels to post notice when they know or should know that U.S. Customs and Border Protection or ICE are using the premises, with supporters saying workers and guests deserve transparency and safety. Hotel and business groups opposed it, citing privacy, liability, and concerns about interfering with federal operations. The committee voted 6-2 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2027 by Assemblymember Ward would restrict employers from using worker data to train AI systems that replace workers and limit sharing of worker data for automation; labor groups supported it and business and public-sector groups opposed it as too broad. The bill passed 7-2 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The committee also heard AB 1837 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, which would extend and tighten privacy rules for transit agencies’ use of forward-facing cameras to enforce bus-lane violations; supporters said the cameras improve transit flow and safety, and the bill was presented with amendments, though no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start in Southwest.
• I'll start with funding: $1.54 billion.
• But I'm very hopeful we'll start to get to that.
• An estuary is where fresh and salt water meet.
• So, the small quantities of fresh water...

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Oh, fresh. That's what I was thinking. You were talking about fresh.
• I have 3:00 if we can go ahead and get started.
• &gt;&gt; Oh,<00:00:36.160><c> fresh.</c> &gt;&gt; Oh, fresh. &gt;&gt; Oh, fresh.
• </c><00:01:10.240><c> Clerk,</c><00:01:10.560><c> please</c> go ahead and get started.
• Clerk, please go ahead and get started. Clerk, please call<00:01:11.040><c> them.

Bills: HB626 , SB265

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: tax increment district, economic development, manufacturing zone, local governance, ad valorem tax, data processing centers, tax abatements, construction related taxes, energy infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start by highlighting that we knew that this problem was coming.
• become more clear than ever that the work at the state level to feed every Washingtonian is going to start
• And I want to start by acknowledging my colleagues who are here with us today, who are part of our Food
• I want to start by thanking the Farm Bureau and the Commodity Commissions, the Department of Agriculture
• grabbed dinner on their way home, and where families that did not have cars had reliable access to fresh

Summary: The meeting was a legislative press event focused on food insecurity and a broader state strategy to improve food access in Washington. Food Lifeline CEO Stephen Davis described rising hunger across western Washington, citing roughly one in eight residents and one in six children as food insecure, and warned that federal SNAP cuts and higher costs could worsen the problem. He emphasized the need for coordinated state, local, nonprofit, and industry action to strengthen food security and support the charitable food system. House Agriculture and Natural Resources Chair Rep. Lisa Reeves framed the issue as a state-level responsibility and highlighted a Food Fighters Caucus working on multiple bills. She pointed to proposals including a Washington version of a Farm Bill (HB 2616), a statewide food security strategy (HB 2238), a ban on force-feeding birds (HB 1735), support for local food infrastructure grants, farm-to-schools efforts, medically tailored meals (HB 2211), a farm-to-food-banks bill (HB 2463), food donation reporting, dynamic grocery pricing (HB 2481), and pesticide restrictions on PFAS (HB 2279). She also said the state was trying to offset federal policy changes that could reduce millions of meals and affect SNAP recipients. Rep. Darya Farivar focused on grocery access as infrastructure and described the closure of the Fred Meyer in her district as an example of fragile food access. She outlined a bill package centered on HB 2294, HB 2297, and HB 2313: removing anti-competitive covenants that block grocery stores from reopening, giving local governments tools to support existing and new stores in underserved areas, and allowing municipal or partnered grocery options when private stores disappear. Grocery worker Dan House, of UFCW 3000, testified in support of HB 2313, saying store closures hurt seniors, families, workers, and neighborhood stability. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for continued support, collaboration, and public engagement on the bills and food security efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think is when Larry Brooks started.
• When I started at West Fargo High School, in partnership with NDSCS, we started the first early college
• Should I start again? Yeah, please.
• So, I mean, Head Start programs are intended to do Head Start programs.
• That started January 2026.

Committee: Joint Education Committee

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on dual credit programming across North Dakota, with presentations from Valley City State University, Lake Region State College, Fargo Public Schools, and teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose. Speakers described dual credit as a way to give high school students college-level rigor, reduce future tuition costs, and help students explore academic and career pathways. Several presenters emphasized that strong local relationships between colleges and school districts are central to program quality, especially in rural areas where access to advanced coursework can be limited. Valley City State University outlined its quality-control model, including annual teacher trainings, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty evaluations, qualification standards, school visits, and a goal of building 24-credit College Studies Certificates. The university reported about 504 students in the fall and 559 in the spring, with roughly 5,539 projected credit hours and about 130 students expected to earn the 24-credit certificate. Members asked about faculty qualifications, online versus in-person delivery, student retention, revenue, and whether a more centralized statewide model might be more efficient; the presenter said centralization could reduce duplication but might weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College described a broader regional model, with about 913 dual credit students last fall across 44 school districts, roughly half of them taking online college courses and half taking face-to-face courses taught by qualified high school teachers serving as adjuncts. The college said it has paid for graduate credits to help teachers meet credentialing requirements and reimburses districts for teacher support and materials. Fargo Public Schools reported 50 dual credit courses through multiple higher-ed partners, 1,571 enrollments, and a 12.61% increase in participation, while also raising concerns about inconsistent registration systems, credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity across institutions. Teachers from West Fargo and Drake-Anamoose reinforced the value of dual credit, while noting concerns about retention in foundational science courses and the importance of maintaining rigor and support for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we could start off with Rhett Martinez, we'll start with you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• Okay, we'll start. Sorry, I'm sorry, we'll start with Representative Martínez (member_12610).
• So I'll start with those items.
• It started June 24 of this year.
• We started working on that in 2005, started writing letters in 2013, and then finally got it done a couple

Transcript Highlights:

• To launch, to get started, and the first amendment.
• You know, they don't have the fresh vegetables in that buggy to be able to start cooking.
• And, you know, it's guaranteed fresh.
• How does it start? That kind of thing.
• And so it starts off, you know, and if you look in the year, it starts off at crawfish, but it's landscaping

Bills: HCR65 , HB512 , HB1194 , SCR23 , SB502

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections. House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:21.799><c> physical</c> consider the students academic physical consider the students academic
• </c><01:23:54.600><c> behavioral</c> sizes all the academic behavioral sizes all the academic behavioral
• </c><01:40:39.560><c> in</c> know that under section two starting in know that under section two starting
• Now they can start taking gifts, you know, to—they can take gifts to start recruiting for their program
• said: “Senator Lang, again, coming at this as I said when I first started, you started my questioning

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I have to start over? Can I continue where I was?
• </c> testifying today on behalf of fresh testifying today on behalf of fresh energy<00:13:35.680><c>
• nonpartisan</c> energy fresh energy is a nonpartisan energy fresh energy is a nonpartisan nonprofit<
• </c> already paying their fair share fresh already paying their fair share fresh energy<00:15:00.480>
• </c><00:15:04.399><c> energy</c> proposed in house file 189 fresh energy proposed in house file 189 fresh